In 1995, Pixar revolutionized the animation industry with the original Toy Story. Fans surely remember the bittersweet scene where Buzz Lightyear confidently spreads his plastic wings to fly, only for Woody to deliver the iconic line: “That’s not flying, that’s just falling with style!” That failure helped Buzz wake up to the truth that he was just a toy.
But after exactly 31 years, Pixar finally lets Buzz Lightyear truly “fly” in a breathtaking scene at the end of Toy Story 5.
A stunning blend of classic toys and cutting-edge technology
Although the story of the fifth installment mainly focuses on the cowgirl Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) still steals the spotlight with an unexpected twist. This time, the film introduces an entire squad of brand-new “Hi-Tech Edition” Buzz Lightyear toys.
In the climactic battle near the end, Jessie rallies both traditional toys and modern gadgets to help Bonnie and Blaze become friends. The plan hinges entirely on the high-tech Buzz squad, toys that were stranded on a deserted island and found their way back thanks to Jessie’s group’s police badge.
At this moment, Bonnie’s interactive tablet, Lilypad, discovers a hidden advanced feature in this new toy line. Their jetpack and wings are actually fully functional drone flying devices.
Once activated, the entire Hi-Tech squad soars into the sky, lifting Jessie, Woody, Lilypad, and the original Buzz Lightyear (OG Buzz) in a stunning moment that leaves viewers amazed.
Witnessing this historic moment, Woody delivers the perfect comeback: “Now that’s flying with style!” The classic line from years ago is reversed, proving Woody was wrong about his best friend’s flying ability all along.
A heartfelt conclusion for fans who grew up with Toy Story
For 90s kids who grew up with Woody and Buzz over 30 years across five films and countless spin-offs, this scene holds priceless emotional value. It’s more than just dazzling visual effects, it fulfills a silent promise made back in 1995.
“No, it can’t be true, I can fly if I want to. Like a bird in the sky, if I believe I can fly, I will fly.”, Randy Newman’s nostalgic song from the first film feels like a prophecy for this moment.
Before the squad takes off, viewers witness a touching scene where the original Buzz steps up as leader, helping the new Hi-Tech team understand the true value of a toy, the mission to bring happiness to children, the same lesson he learned in the first film.
Many doubted the franchise should continue after the perfect ending of Toy Story 3. Yet with priceless moments like Buzz’s flight and Jessie’s tearful reunion with her former owner Emily, Toy Story 5 wins over even the toughest fans, proving the world of toys still has wonderful stories left to tell.